Richmond and Ruud are both Rheem subsidiaries. Same manufacturing, different distribution.
Distribution
| Richmond | Ruud | |
|---|---|---|
| Menards | Yes (primary) | No |
| Home Depot | No | No |
| Plumbing wholesale | Limited | Yes (primary) |
| Amazon | Limited | Limited |
Tier comparison
| Warranty | Richmond | Ruud |
|---|---|---|
| 6 years | Essential | Professional Classic |
| 9 years | Encore | Professional Achiever Plus |
| 12 years | Premium | Professional Ultra |
| 10 years hybrid | Encore Hybrid | Professional Hybrid |
When Richmond wins
- Menards shopper
- DIY purchase without contractor relationship
- Menards-channel pricing in Midwest markets
When Ruud wins
- You have a Rheem-affiliated plumber
- Contractor wholesale pricing
- Bundled install with extended labor warranty
Bottom line
Same product, different channel. Menards (Richmond) vs contractor (Ruud).